The Lotus Eclat does 20.0 mpg combined (17.0 city, 25.0 highway), which works out to about $1,920 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 1.6L 4-cyl does 23.5 mpg while 3.5L 8-cyl does 16 — a difference of $766 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Lotus Eclat engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 20.5 / 28.5 | 1992–1993 | $1,634 | |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 21 / 27 | 2007–2008 | $1,670 | |
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 14 / 23.3 | 1984–1995 | $2,157 | |
| 3.5L 8-cyl | 14 / 21 | 1997–1997 | $2,400 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.160 |
| Fuel per year | $1,920 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,600 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$408 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,706 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 17.0 mpg | $2,259 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 25.0 mpg | $1,536 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +8 mpg (47%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Eclat changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 21 / 27 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2007 | 21 / 27 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 1997 | 14 / 21 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 1995 | 15 / 25 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 1994 | 15 / 25 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 1993 | 20 / 28 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 1992 | 21 / 29 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 1990 | 15 / 25 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 1984 | 11 / 18 | 1 | $2,743 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Lotus Eclat get?
20.0 mpg combined on average — 17.0 in the city and 25.0 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1984–2008.
How much does a Lotus Eclat cost in fuel per year?
About $1,920 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $9,600 over five years, or 0.160 dollars a mile.
Which Eclat engine is the most economical?
The 1.6L 4-cyl at 23.5 mpg, against 16 for the 3.5L 8-cyl — a difference of about $766 a year.
Is the Eclat good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.